Home Remedies for Baby Chest Congestion.

Every mother or a baby caretaker must have been through a phase of baby chest congestion. The passive immunity passed on to the newborn babies too doesn’t last long.
After birth, it takes time for the babies to fully develop their immunity and is thus vulnerable to common cold & congestion. The biological systems of babies are very different from us adults.

WHAT CAUSES CONGESTION IN BABIES?

There are reasons for Baby's chest congestion, phlegm, cough, cold and nasal congestions. The most common reason for baby chest congestion are bacterial infections and viral Infections. Allergies can also be considered as a reason. Seasonal changes, especially during winter also result in a baby cough.

Watch out for the following signs and symptoms which may be an indication of chest congestion:
1. Breathing Difficulties
2. Coughing
3. Fever
4. Moody
5. Poor Appetite
6. Insomnia
7. Trouble in Breathing

14 HOME REMEDIES FOR BABY COUGH AND CHEST CONGESTION

1.HUMIDIFIER

Dry air can be another reason for worsening baby chest congestion. Keeping a humidifier in the baby’s room can help moisten the air, and relieve nose blockages. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can also keep a bucket of hot water in the room at night to keep the air from drying.

2. SALINE DROPS

Heat 8 teaspoons of distilled water and add ½ teaspoon of pure table salt with a sterilized spoon. Cool the solution, and add a few drops carefully into your baby’s nostrils. It thins the mucus in the nose and makes it easier to clean mucus.
This doesn’t help with baby chest congestion but reduces its effects. Saline drops for infants are available at medical shops. You can also make it at home to clear baby’s blocked nose.

3. AJWAIN AND GARLIC POTLI

Heat some garlic and Ajwain in a Tawa until it is slightly warm and wrap it in a piece of cloth. Apply this on your infant’s chest to provide relief from chest congestion. Avoid making the mixture too hot as it could burn your baby’s skin.

4. BREASTFEEDING

If your infant is less than six months old, breastfeeding will take care of his health. Breast milk works better than over-the-counter pills as it hydrates your infant, takes care of his nutritional needs and contains antibodies to fight infections.

5. RAISED HEAD

This helps to drain the mucus away through the nose and clear the chest. Always elevate your baby’s head when he is sleeping and during a breastfeeding session.

6. GARLIC OIL MASSAGE

Take 1/4th cup of mustard oil, add 2-3 cloves of crushed garlic, and one teaspoon of methi seeds in it. Keep this bowl in a warm water pot for 10 minutes. Let it completely cool down. Once it cools down, you can massage this oil gently over the nasal bridge, forehead, cheekbones, chest, back, and throat. Massage it softly with gentle hand movements.

7. TURMERIC STEAM

Turmeric is a wonder spice that has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps boost immunity and is very helpful in curing for baby chest congestion. Bring water to boil in a vessel. Add a small piece of turmeric, or you can also add a teaspoon of turmeric powder.

8. CLEAR SOUPS

Chicken has anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps boost immunity. It fights infections and helps to clear baby chest congestion. Soup reduces congestion in the chest and cold.

9. WARM COMPRESS AND WARM BATH

A warm compress and a warm bath help relieve nasal congestions and baby chest congestion. Soak a baby washcloth in warm water. Squeeze out extra water.
Keep this on the baby’s chest, back, across the nose, and cheeks. Dip the washcloth again in warm water and repeat the process once it cools down. This will help loosen up stuck up mucus.

10. INCREASE FLUID INTAKE

When the baby has a cold, the baby easily gets dehydrated. Make sure your baby sips water continuously. You can also opt for ORS solutions or warm fruit juice to keep your baby hydrated when suffering from baby chest congestion.

11. AYURVEDIC KADHA

Another remedy is to give Ayurvedic Kadha to the infants above the age of 7 months. Bring two cups of water to boil. Add some tulsi leaves, small pieces of ginger, a stick of Mulethi, ½ teaspoon of Yastimadhu and simmer for two minutes. Turn off heat and cover for 10 minutes.
Let it partially cool down, strain it and give it to your child to sip. Don’t give it more than two times a day.

12. AJWAIN COMPRESS

Take one small bowl of Ajwain seeds and two garlic cloves. Roast them in a pan by continuously stirring it for a minute or so. After it becomes slightly brown, and releases a strong aroma, turn off the heat. Transfer it instantly into a clean cotton cloth piece. Tightly wrap it up into a potli, and add another cotton cloth as another covering.

Keep this near the baby to inhale the fumes. This will instantly cure baby nasal congestion After the heat has reduced, making it safe for the baby, test on the inside of your wrist. Compress the chest and back of the baby with this slightly warm potli.

13. GENTLY PAT THE BACK

Gently tapping on the babies back helps loosen baby chest congestion. Lay your baby across your knee or make him sit on your lap with his body slightly leaning forward. Cup your hands and gently pat his back. This will loosen up the mucus in the chest, and make it easier for your child to cough it up. This is one of the easiest chesty cough remedies.

14. PROPER REST

Taking rest offers time for the body to activate its defense mechanism to heal itself of the baby cold and chest congestion. Let them sleep as much as possible, or let them quiet play.
Visit: https://www.wonderparenting.com/health/baby-chest-congestion/